Chihiros Nova 1 setup

[cgcobalt]

Chihiros Nova 1 test

About me :

i be honest. im not a reefer. At least not for few months ago .

i am an aquascaper.

I got the task from local Chihiros distributor , to showcase the capability of their new light - which is Chihiros Nova 1 for saltwater system.

This is definitely not an easy task. Because the way the local reefer ( at least in my country ) they put sps as the benchmark for light that come with that price range .

First the light need be capable to grow sps.
Second , pull the color or make the sps display stunning color.

As a someone who never keep a reef tank , especially sps tank , like i said this is not gonna be an easy task.

But this forum definitely helps me alot in terms of research and self study. After months of reading , then i finalize that reef tank has some similarities with planted tank - in specific Dutch Style tank.

Nutrients , Flow , Lightning , Maintenance . 4 main pillars that heavily practice in Dutch Style / Garden Style setup also being apply to the reef tank.

( Just with more new info for sure , because they both comes with different husbandry )


1. The Tank Setup

Took me many months of planning , but the tank started to run on May 2024. here the pictures of the system. Pretty Simple .


Dimension : 60 cm x 60 cm x 40 cm Low iron ( cc ) tank
Lighting : Chihiros nova 1
Wavemaker : Zoox 8000l/h x2 pcs
Skimmer : Red Starfish N series
Return pump : Jecod ( jebao ? ) 8500 l/h

 

[cgcobalt]

 

[cgcobalt]

2. The scape

On early phase , i used 100% dead rock as the foundation of the scape and as the bio media in the sump. On June , i added more Wild Live rock to seed my system. The Live rock i collected at the island , where sps is common.

 

[cgcobalt]

3. The actual test , Wild Acropora

Before i added the colonies of wild acro, i did test the system with softies and LPS. For 2 months , i have no casualty or set back from Digitata , Gonio , Torch , Hammer , Acan , Blasto , Trachy and Cyna.

And everything started to grow really well when i introduced the Wild (nature ) live rock , wild (nature ) live sand and ocean water into the system.

The LPS puffing like mad and my parameters getting better.

So, near end of July , i tell to myself that maybe im ready for acro.

So i called my LFS friend to help me with getting 10 colonies of wild acro for the test. Please dont ask me about the ID , i dont know lol.

I know there is tenuis , millepora , suharsonoi , deepwater acros , selago . But the rest , i cant identify . Pardon me , im just a beginner.

The wild acro , about their care , i also study from this forum. Really insightful and helps me alot. Outta 10 colonies , until now , all 10 colonies survive with no RTN and STN.

kh : 7.5
temperature : 25 celcius
po4 : below 0.05
no3 : 5 and below
the rest i dont really check lol, i believe its more or less the same as other acro / sps keeper parameters

 

[cgcobalt]

i forgot to tell , that this project also sponsored by Aquaforest and Salifert.

The local distributor provided me this. Thanks alot .

 

[Devaji]

nice I was wondering when Chihiros would try to enter the reefing market.

I tryed to set up an aquascape got there light best at the time a new tank & all the other goddies but found it hard to sort through or find good quality FW aquascaping info. so I went back to reefing....haha

be nice if they come out with a budget app controlled light for reefing.

 

[cgcobalt]

nice I was wondering when Chihiros would try to enter the reefing market.

I tryed to set up an aquascape got there light best at the time a new tank & all the other goddies but found it hard to sort through or find good quality FW aquascaping info. so I went back to reefing....haha

be nice if they come out with a budget app controlled light for reefing.

For FW aquascaping info , it's either u check Green Aqua YT page , ADA YT page , 2hr Aquarist webpage or Barr Report / Ukaps forum.

But now , it's already abundant, when it comes to references. From beginner info, to the expert - Competition,diorama style level.

 

[Devaji]

For FW aquascaping info , it's either u check Green Aqua YT page , ADA YT page , 2hr Aquarist webpage or Barr Report / Ukaps forum.

But now , it's already abundant, when it comes to references. From beginner info, to the expert - Competition,diorama style level.

yeah i looked at all those. great info. was surprised how hard it was to find plants /wood shipped in bulk.
IDK maybe i expected way to much.
when you watch all those You tubers they all say to plant heavy from the get go. but getting all your plats seemed to be as issue. planed out my scape built it cycled the tank and was ready for plants but one 30% or less of the plants I could find. these where basic one too.

seems the EU has better plats growers and more options. IDKthat was my experience anyway.

either way curious to see how your nova light works for reefs tanks.

 

[Devaji]

BTW I know this is a reef forum but show us ( me) your scapes

 

[Gumbies R Us]

This is going to be one awesome looking build!